Hannah Matysek, aka Val Moogz, is a seasoned indie, funky-folk songwriter and performer, captivating audiences with passionate plucking and powerful vocals. Writing songs that simultaneously deep-dive and uplift, connection is at the core of their songwriting and performance practice. Based on brinja-yuin country, on the NSW South Coast, they continue to build a reputation as a compelling regional artist, cultivating queer joy, humour and authenticity at shows. Hannah visited Plumwood Mountain in August 2026 with Alice Ansara, writing and playing music whilst working on a new album. Listen to, and learn more about Val Moogz’s work over at their website or instagram.
Hannah Matysek, aka Val Moogz (Photo coutesy of Hannah Matysek, 2026).
I went to Plumwood Mountain burnt out and exhausted from the daily grind of attempting adulthood, but with an intention to spend two weeks re-connecting with my creative practice, and write an album’s worth of new songs. It had been so long since I’d carved out enough time and space to create in the year prior, and I was hoping by some magic my songwriting practice would awaken and be ironed out.
It’s not often I experience the stillness I felt whilst at Plumwood Mountain, and a few days in, the spark of hope I entered with had kindled into a full blown flame and I could not help but write songs. I felt so inspired by the natural beauty, and its interactions with itself and with us, and how out there we were living together happily and it was often better not to take up too much space in noise and other waste production.
I was particularly inspired by a little Yellow Eastern Robin who would watch us as we sat in the garden. Such a little beauty! I learned that dawn harper was the translation of Eopsaltria australis which was the genus that Yellow Eastern Robins belonged to, and the reason for this name was because these birds are among the first to be heard singing at dawn. I had to write a song about this little beauty and some of my lyrics to new song ‘Dawn Harper’, written whilst at Plumwood Mountain are below.
In the two weeks I spent at Plumwood Mountain, I wrote 9 songs - songs that I plan to record and release in a stripped back and intimate album called PLUMWOOD. I’m very grateful for my time at Plumwood Mountain, and for the creative expression the place encouraged and the restorative rest and soul reset it afforded me.
Dawn harper plucking at her strings
Playing her sweet song
Let the morning set in
Let it be long
It’s still out here
The trees are dancing with the wind
Her yellow breast faced towards the sun
Her eyes a prophecy of fun
She knows the secrets of this place
She know I’m not very good at being quiet
But perhaps the tide can turn
Val Moogz, performing Dawn Harper in the mist of Plumwood Mountain (video courtesy of Val Moogz, 2026).
Val Moogz has supported major Australian artists Ben Lee, The Whitlams, Alex Lloyd, Kingswood, and scored coveted spots at festivals including Wanderer Festival, Cobargo Folk Festival and the Milton Folk, Jazz & Blues Festival. Most recently, Val Moogz was selected to participate in the MusicNSW Regional Tours, featuring on the MUVE Beyond The Curtain Tour. Their latest single, 'Disco Ball', is an ode to LGBTQ+ community, sharing a story of growth and self-acceptance, and coming to the ultimate conclusion that we all shine most when we can love ourselves and let the world see who we truly are.
Listen to, and learn more about Val Moogz’s work over at their website or instagram.